Fossil Fuel Creation; millions of years

Three main types of fossil fuels Coal (rock): Once ~80% of US energy, now ~22% Crude oil (gasoline, liquid); ~39% US energy Natural gas: ~23% US energy burns to CO 2 and water, few other pollutants

2002 Top 10 Countries from which the United States Imports Oil (thousand barrels per day) Source:Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, October 2002 We use more oil than we produce…… imports

But see…………….. Americans like gas guzzling “cars”

10 largest producers: Saudi Arabia, Russia, United States, Iran, China, Mexico, Norway, Venezuela, United Kingdom, and Canada

External costs of fossil fuels (not included in price at the pump) Protection (military) Environmental and Health Risk of economic disruption Traffic accidents and time lost in traffic Include these costs and gas should cost >$4/gallon

History 1973 Arab leaders began oil embargo because of US support of Israel. Prices soared, 55 mph speed limit 1978 revolution in Iran cut of export. Prices up, fuel efficient cars developed, domestic oil exploration Ongoing conflict in Middle East Continued Israeli – Arab tension Iran- Iraq war Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, 1991 Gulf War US invasion of Iraq, 2003-present

Most new oil (conventional) in North America likely to come from off shore, and Alaska Deposits of oil laden “tar sand” in northern Canada abundant, but require lots of new technology for cost efficient extraction

More about costs, oil from Nigeria Ken Saro-Wiwa and 8 others of the Ogoni people hung by the military government. Accused of murder- they claim it was work for local oil control and against pollution. Current (2004) Fighting between ethnic groups and with government over control and profits from oil ChevronTexaco and Royal Dutch/Shell major companies. Accused of promoting ethinic fighting to keep people from being unified front Towns destroyed by government troops, high unemployment and crime

Lots of disagreements among geologists and economists about when it will run out But it is a finite resource, it will run out eventually We don’t know when Alternative energy sources needed

Olduvai theory: industrial civilization will only last ~ 100 years, we’re going back to hunter gatherers by Pretty pessimistic!

Controversial questions How does oil influence US policy & politics? What role if any did oil play in the invasion of Iraq? Is civilization as we know it going to end in 25 years? What would life be like? Would it be all bad?